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The Johnson County Jail staff includes approximately 53 male and female correctional officers and staff members trained in first aid, cell extraction, and various forms of conflict resolution. The Jail is designed to hold 292 inmates.

Johnson County Jail #1
In 1826, the Johnson County Board of Justices recorded making allowances out of the county treasury for the guarding of prisoners. It was in that year that the first jail was built. Johnson County Jail #1, a log structure, was built by Samuel Herriott. A construction order was issued in May of 1826: “the contractor for building a jail in Franklin in place of putting but one window in each story seven inches by three feet, put two windows in each end, seven inches by eighteen inches, and in room of making the logs for said jail eighteen feet long they be seventeen feet and in place of sealing the upper loft with three-quarters inch popular plank it be laid down with hewed timber nine inches thick.” This jail served until 1833 when the Johnson County Board of Justice’s determined that a new jail was needed.

Johnson County Jail #2The Board of Justice’s published notice that the lowest bidder would be charged with the moving of the jail “from the site it now occupies to the southeast corner of lot 56, also the fencing off on said lot a stray pen of posts and rails and putting a good and substantial gate to the same.” This jail was built and used until 1838 when a prisoner set fire to the building and it was burned to the ground. It was recalled that the prisoner was badly burned by the fire of his own setting, but in the excitement incident to the fire he managed to make his escape.

Johnson County Jail #3
A new jail was erected by Samuel Harriott in the same location as the old jail and was opened in November of 1838 at a cost of $500.00. It was a secure facility; The walls were three courses of logs. The middle course was vertical and the other two were horizontal. The “creditor’s jail” occupied the second story room. In the middle of the floor on the second floor was a trap door through which the criminals by way of ladder were conducted to their cell on the first floor. The ladder was then removed and the trap door was fastened above them. In August of 1850, the County Board decided that a new jail should be built.

Johnson County Jail #4
This brick jail was completed in 1851 at a cost of $4,800.00. The Sheriff’s residence was attached to the structure. The building was two stories high and faced east on the southwest corner of the public square by the courthouse. A hot air furnace of brick built into the structure heated the building. This building served until it was replaced in 1867.

Johnson County Jail #5
The county acquired the title to lot 54 for $1,600.00. The lot is located on the northwest corner of West Court and Madison Streets in Franklin on the public square. The new jail was built for $39,900.00 and was completed in 1867. It was modeled after the jail in Danville, Indiana. This structure served for many years. In 1965, the structure was considered crowded and very obsolete. This building remained until it was razed in 1980.

Johnson County Jail #6
Johnson County Jail #6 was built and dedicated in 1977. This building was moved away from the courthouse square to county owned property on the south end of Franklin. Located behind the Johnson Memorial Hospital and adjacent to the County Highway Garage, the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center houses the Jail, Sheriff’s Administration, Emergency Management Office, and the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center. This building still stands today. In response to a federal overcrowding lawsuit, the jail facility was gutted, remodeled, and a new wing was added in 2002. The capacity was raised from 104 beds to 299 beds. A jail management committee was formed to monitor the inmate population and attempt to keep the jail population reasonable.

How to send mail to an inmate?

To send an inmate of the Johnson County Jail mail, please address the envelope as follows:

INMATES FIRST AND LAST NAME FOLLOWED BY THEIR “NAME NUMBER” C/O JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE P.O. BOX 609 FRANKLIN, IN. 46131

Be certain to have your return address in the upper left hand corner of the envelope (return address must be handwritten and not a mailing label). This will insure the return of the letter in case the inmate has left our facility. Please, do not place any stickers or glitter on the outside of the envelope. With the exception of legal mail, all mail is checked for any and all types of contraband. No pornographic photos or Poloroid photographs are permitted. All newspaper and magazines must come directly from the publishers.

Any problems concerning incoming mail should be addressed to the jail staff at (317) 346-4491.

How to visit an inmate?

All visitors ages 16 years and up must have valid picture identification. This identification will be shown to the officers running visitation. All information will be entered into a visitation log.

All inmates receive one (1) twenty minute visit

If there is more than one visitor for and inmate, make certain that all visitors are signed in for the same time block, because inmates are only allowed one (1) twenty minute visit on the visitation day

Property items for inmates cannot be dropped off during their visitation

When an inmate wants to release items to a family member or friend, a property release form must be filled out by the inmate. Only inmates sentenced to the Department of Corrections are allowed to release all personal property

Special visits are to be approved by a Sergeant. Only one (1) special visit is permitted per month. To request a special visit you must call (317) 346-4627

Medication prescriptions from an inmate’s doctor can be brought to the Jail Office and they will be given to the Jail’s nurse

Visitors for male inmates must be signed in before the 4:00 p.m. cut off time.

Female Inmate Visitation

Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Visitors for female inmates must be signed in before the 9:00 a.m. cut off time.

How to send money to an inmate?

The Jail staff can only accept MONEY ORDERS for commissary. The money order must be mailed to the Sheriff’s Office. It cannot be hand delivered to the jail. The money order should be made payable to the inmate and the order MUST bear the “name number” or it cannot be accepted. If you do not know the inmate “name number” call the Jail: (317) 346-4716 or (317) 346-4017 or (317) 346-4626. Do not send cash!

Johnson County Jail Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrant of Johnson County Jail is a warrant issued by the Johnson County judge to authorize the arrest and detention of an individual. Johnson County Jail arrest warrant list provides all outstanding arrest warrants of Johnson County yet to be served by law enforcement officials. The suspected named in the warrant of Johnson County Jail can be arrested anytime.

Johnson County Jail Most Wanted

Most wanted persons listed by Johnson County Jail may be armed and dangerous. Do not attempt to apprehend a wanted person on your own. If you know someone listed on the Johnson County Jail most wanted persons, please contact the detention facility office (see contacts of the Johnson County Jail below).